abogado
/ah-boh-GAH-doh/
lawyer
An abogado (male lawyer) dressed professionally, ready to represent a client.
abogado(Noun)
lawyer
?General term for a legal professional.
,attorney
?Often used interchangeably with 'lawyer'.
barrister
?UK English equivalent, represents clients in court.
,counsel
?Formal term for a legal advisor.
📝 In Action
Mi padre es abogado.
A2My father is a lawyer.
Necesitamos contratar a un buen abogado para defendernos.
B1We need to hire a good lawyer to defend us.
El abogado del demandante presentó nuevas pruebas en el juicio.
B2The plaintiff's attorney presented new evidence at the trial.
💡 Grammar Points
Stating Your Profession
When you say what someone does for a living, you use the verb 'ser'. Unlike English, you usually don't need 'a' or 'an' ('un'). For example, 'Él es abogado,' not 'Él es un abogado.'
Adding Descriptions
You ONLY add 'un' when you describe the person's profession. For instance, 'Él es un abogado famoso' (He is a famous lawyer).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Looks like 'Avocado'!
Mistake: "Quiero comer un abogado."
Correction: This is a classic mix-up! 'Avocado' in Spanish is 'aguacate'. Saying you want to eat an 'abogado' means you want to eat a lawyer!
⭐ Usage Tips
Gender Matters
This word refers to a male lawyer. For a female lawyer, you must use the feminine form: 'abogada'. This is very important for being respectful and accurate.
An abogada (female lawyer) carrying her briefcase, ready for court.
📝 In Action
Mi hermana es abogada.
A2My sister is a lawyer.
La abogada ganó el caso para su cliente.
B1The lawyer won the case for her client.
Contratamos a una abogada especializada en derecho de familia.
B2We hired a lawyer specializing in family law.
💡 Grammar Points
Nouns for People
In Spanish, many nouns for people change their ending to match the person's gender. The most common pattern is ending in '-o' for men and '-a' for women, just like 'abogado' and 'abogada'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use the Right Form
Always use 'abogada' when talking about a female lawyer. Using 'abogado' would be incorrect. For a group of mixed-gender lawyers, you use the masculine plural: 'los abogados'.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: abogado
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly states that Maria is a lawyer?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'abogado' and 'licenciado'?
'Abogado' specifically means 'lawyer'—someone who can represent clients in court. 'Licenciado' is a more general term for anyone with a university degree, and in some countries like Mexico, it's used as a formal title (like Mr. or Ms.). So, every lawyer is a 'licenciado', but not every 'licenciado' is a lawyer.
How do you say 'a group of lawyers'?
If the group includes at least one man, you use the masculine plural: 'los abogados'. If the group is made up of only women, you use the feminine plural: 'las abogadas'.